India Pushes For 6 Million Electric And Hybrid Vehicles By 2020

India has set a goal of deploying 6 million electric and hybrid vehicles on its road by 2020. The India government has already approved $4.1 billion (230 billion rupees) to achieve that bold vision.

Initially, this plan for 6 million electric and hybrid vehicles may seem overly-ambitious. But in India, the majority of its future electric and hybrid vehicles will be two-wheelers. This would include electric bikes, scooters, and commuter cars – all vehicles that would be more attainable for the general Indian automobile buyer.

But where will all these green vehicles come from?

India’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer Reva is a likely candidate, that has so far struggled to achieve a profit. It was bought by Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra in 2010, but India’s domestic electric vehicle market has yet to show any signs of growth. There are very few electric vehicles in India and virtually no infrastructure.

As a result, some are suggesting that India’s goals are not grounded in reality. While it’s great to see a developing country such as India pushing for renewable energy and green transportation, it is disheartening when the country provides no clear indication of how it will accomplish its goals.